Body support garment

ABSTRACT

984,465. Surgical bandages. BAKA MANUFACTURING CO. Inc. Sept. 7, 1962 [Sept. 8, 1961], No. 34423/62. Heading A5R. A binder or elastic bandage adapted to encircle part of the body of a wearer is made of at least two panels of material stretchable in the encircling direction and joined by non- stretchable means which permits the panels to move relatively to each other perpendicular to the direction of stretch. In a wrist band constructed in this way two panels 60, 62 of material capable of stretching in a direction around the wrist, are each joined at their ends by a seam 68 to form closed bands and are joined to each other, with a slight spacing, by diagonal stitching 64. When the wrist is flexed the panels are permitted to move slightly towards or away from each other without changing their original positions on the wrist so that the bandage does not tend to move as a whole one way or the other. The same principle may be applied to a trunk binder made, in effect, from three vertically spaced, parallel panels, joined by stitching in the same way. Such a binder may have rows of hook and eye fasteners to facilitate putting on and taking off.

Dec. 31, 1963 D. KAPLAN 3,115,879

BODY SUPPORT GARMENT Filed Sept. 8, 1961 F162 {l2 I8 42 INVEN TOR.

DAVID KAPLAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent arrasra BODY surronr GARMENTDavid Kapian, 124 S. Main St, Sharon, Mass. Filed Sept. 8, 1961, Ser.No. 1136,3 34 3 tClairns. (iii. 12.854l) This invention relates to bodysupports and binders. More particularly, this invention relates togarments which typically are worn as post-operative abdominal binders,post-partum binders and wrist, ankle, and knee supports.

At the present time most body binders and supports fall into one of fourwell known classes; namely, Scu'ltetus binders, cotton cloth binders,ace bandages, and adhesive elastic bandages. All of these differenttypes have inherent disadvantages. For example, Scultetus and cottoncloth binders do not stay in place and therefore requiring frequentattention. Cotton cloth binders are not easily opened or closed as theyare wound about the body and, therefore, are inconvenient when used forpost-operative purposes. Ace bandages, like cotton cloth binders, mustbe unwrapped completely to inspect the part of the body on which thebandage is worn and, therefore, are inconvenient. Furthermore, acebandages are difficult to apply correctly, and they do not withstandlaundering well. Adhesive elastic bandages have a very limitedapplication, can be used but once, and stick to the skin which makesthem painful to remove.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a garment in thenature of a binder or support which will remain in place on the part ofthe body upon which it is applied.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a comfortableand lightweight binder and support which may be applied and removedreadily and which, therefore, permits easy inspection of the part of thebody covered by it.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a binder orsupport which may be laundered many times without appreciable shrinkageor loss of elasticity.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a hinder orsupport which may be readily applied to the body without adhesive tapeor other fastening means.

To accomplish these and other objects this invention includes among itsmany features a plurality of parallel panels made of elastic webbingstretchable in the direction in which the panels extend. The adjacentedges of the panels are secured together by rows of fagoting stitches oranother similar type of stitching which permits free stretching of thepanels or strips in their lengthwise direction but which are notstretchable in a direction transverse to the panels. The stitchingsecures the adjacent edges of the panels in spaced relationship andpermits the adjacent edges of the panels to overlap one another when onepanel is moved relative to an adjacent panel. At the same time, thefagoting stitching provides a very definite limitation againstseparation of the panels beyond a selected amount. The panels which makeup the garment are designed to encircle the portion of the body uponwhich the garment is worn and may or may not be provided with fastenersto facilitate applying and removing the garment and varying the garmentsize. Whether or not this feature is incorporated into the garment isdetermined by the specificuse for which the garment is designed.

The circumferential dimensions of the garment may vary from end to enddepending upon the particular use for which the garment is designed. Asyet another feature, the garment is provided with an Helenca lining orbacking which is very soft and stretchable and, therefore,

artists Fat-elated Dec. 31, 1963 comfortable when worn against the skin.This material does not interfere with the stretchability of the webbingmaterial and aids in retaining the garment in place on the body.

These and other objects and features of this invention, along with itsincident advantages will be better understood and appreciated from thefollowing detailed description of a number of embodiments thereof,selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a binder constructed in accordance with thisinvention and worn about the abdomen;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the abdominal binder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view. of an open binder of the type shown inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the binder shown inthe preceding figures and illustrating one feature of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a wrist support constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the wrist support shown inFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

The embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes two setsof panels or strips 10 and 12 stitched together as suggested at 14 toform a generally rectangular garment which may be detachably secured intubular or encircling form by fasteners 16, sewn along the free edges ofthe sets of panels.

The two sets of panels secured in end to end relationship by thestitching suggested at 14 effectively comprise a single set of elongatedpanels and will be so described. The set of composite panels includesthree elongated strips of elastic webbing 18, 2t) and 22 stretchable intheir lengthwise direction; that is, in the encircling direction whenthe garment is closed by the fasteners 16. The webbings or panels arenot stretchable across their width. Thus, the diameter of thecylindrical garment formed by the panels is variable while the length ofthe cylindrical garment cannot exceed the fixed limit set by the sum ofthe panel widths plus their spacing as limited by the stitching whichjoins them.

The panels 18 and 29, as well as the panels 20 and 22 have theiradjacent edges 24 and 26 on the one hand and 2% and Sit on the othersecured together by rows of fagoting stitches 32 and 34 respectively.The fagoting stitching 32 and 34 which joins the adjacent edges of thepanels does not impair the action of the elasticity of the webbing, andthe edges of the webbing may be stretched readily as if no stitchingjoined the adjacent edges. stitching made of a cotton yarn or somesimilar material, however, is not stretchable in itself and, therefore,the panels 18, 20 and 22 may not be separated more than what ispermit-ted by the length of the individual stitches 36 (see FIG. 4). Therows of fagoting stitches 32 and 34 permit each panel to move relativeto the adjacent panel edge limited only by the length of the individualstitches 36, permit complete stretching of the individual panels intheir lengthwise direction, and permit the stretching of one panelrelative to its adjacent panel or panels.

In FIG. 4 the manner in which one panel may move transversely withrespect to its adjacent panel is illustrated. In that figure a portionof panel 18 is shown to overlap the edge 26 of adjacent panel 20. Inthat figure it will be noted that the fagoting stitching 32 readilypermits this overlapping relationship without causing the edges to curl.It will also be appreciated from an inspection of that figure that onepanel may be The fagoting I 7 3 stretched while the adjacent panelremains in an unstretched condition by virtue of the stitching whichjoins the panels. Thus, the panel 1% may be elongated while the panel 20remains normal because of the disposition and size of the stitches whichjoin the edges 24 and 26.

On the free ends 38 and it? of the panels 18, 2t) and 22 the differentparts of the fastener 16 are assembled. On the end 38 as shown in FIG. 3a tape 42, is stitched along the edge which carries a plurality of hooks44 (three at the edge of each panel as shown). On the end 41) of thepanels a tape 46 carries three parallel rows of eyes t3 (each rowproviding three eyes at the end of each panel), and the hooks 44 on thetape 42 are adapted to engage any one of the rows. Thus, the size of thegarment may be varied by connecting the hooks 44 to different rows ofeyes. Obviously a larger person may connect the hooks 44 to the rows 56or 52 while a smaller person may connect the hooks to the rows 54 toachieve the proper fit.

If the garment is designed for use as an abdominal binder for men, thelength of each panel 18, 2t and 22 may be substantially the same so thatthe garment when closed has little or no taper; that is, its normal orunstretched circumference at one end is virtually the same as at theother. If the garment is designed as an abdominal binder for women,better tit and greater comfort may be achieved by constructing thegarment with a tapered shape to allow for the normal dilference in themeasurements of the waist and hips of women. Such a garment is in factshown in FIG-S. l3, and the desired shape is achieved by making each ofthe panels 18, 20 and 22 in two parts as initially suggested by the setsof separate panels and 12 secured together by stitching 14. In FIG. 3particularly, the difference in length of the panels d8, 2% and 22 isnoticeable. The lower panel 22 is longest and lies at the hip line whenworn as shown in H65. 1 and 2. Panel 18 is appreciably shorter thanpanel 22 and lies at the waist line of the wearer. To further aid inachieving a proper fit, the two panel sections, namely panel sections 13and 13 which together make up the full panel 18 may be sewn together ata slight angle to one another rather than being assembled in a straightline. Of course all of the panel sections would be secured together atthe same angle. This feature coupled with the different panel lengthsprovides the garment with the best and most natural taper.

For maximum comfort the elastic webbing should be provided with anHelenca backing or lining 5s shown in FIG. 7, which does not impede thestretch of the webbing and which is most comfortable against the skin.The lining made of Helenca yarn or other similar material in additionmay help to retain the garment in place; that is, the lining along withthe relative movement permitted between the panels by the fagotingstitching cause the garment to remain in place when worn.

In H68. 5 and 6 the invention is shown embodied in a wrist band. Thewrist band is composed of a pair of panels 60 and 62 made of the same orsimilar elastic webbing with a one way stretch which permits the supportto enlarge in a circumferential direction but which does not permit thegarment to elongate. The two panels 69 and 62 are secured together by arow of fagoting stitching 64, and the ends of the panels are stitchedtogether as shown at 66 so that the garment is permanently closed. Toenhance the appearance of the garment the stitching 66 is covered by atape 68 as is the stitching 14 by tape 70 in the embodiment of FIGS.1-3. The panel 60 is shown to be of smaller diameter than the panel 62and each panel slightly tapers so that the two merge with one another toform a truncated cone. The webbing preferably is provided with a Helencabacking or lining as in the previous embodiment. The wrist binder shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 does not include the row or rows of fasteners 16 of theabdominal binder as it is obviously not necessary for a support for thewrist, ankle or knee A}. and may be applied and removed to the namedparts of the body without difficulty.

Having described this invention in detail, the several advantages ofthis garment will now be appreciated. Of primary importance is theability of the garment to remain in place even when the body andparticularly that portion wearing the binding or support is moved,twisted or jarred even over prolonged periods. This is achieved becausethe individual panels which make up the garment may move relative to oneanother; that is, one panel may stretch while the other remains ofconstant dimension, one panel may move toward or away from the otherpanel within limits, and the entire garment is flexible. The ability ofthe garment to remain in place may perhaps be better appreciated whendescribed in connection with FIG. 5. Because the wrist support is madeof two panels 60 and 62 joined by fagoting stitching 64', when the wristof the wearer is bent downwardly so that the hand drops relative to thearm in FIG. 5, the lower part of panel 60 moves toward panel 62 assuggested by arrow 70 while its upper part may move away from panel 62as suggested by arrow 72. Thus, the lower part of the panel 6%} may moveto overlap the adjacent edge of panel 62 while the upper part will moveaway from the panel 62 a distance permitted by the length of theindividual stitches of the fagoting stitching. When the garment soconstructed is used as a post-operative binder, it will require nonursing attention for it will continuously stay in place.

Another important advantage of the garment constructed in accordancewith this invention is that it permits ready inspection of a woundcovered by it. For example, as a post-operative chest or abdominalhinder, the garment is provided with the detachable fasteners 1% so thatthe garment may be opened and closed readily.

Less obvious advantages of garments constructed in accordance with thisinvention are the many uses to which the garments may be put after theirprimary function has been performed. Thus, a woman who obtains such agarment for use in the first instance as a postpartum binder may lateruse it as a foundation garment under a bathing suit, shorts, or slacks.

From the foregoing description those skilled in the art will appreciatethe many modifications which may be made of this invention along withthe many uses to which it may be put. Some typical uses of the inventionare in post-operative abdominal and chest binders, binders worn for ribfractures, post-partum binders, varicose vein binders, head bandagesupports, and wrist, ankle and knee supports. Therefore, it is not myintention to limit the breadth of this invention to the specificembodiments illustrated and described. Rather, it is my intention thatthe breadth of this invention be determined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. A body support garment comprising a plurality of parallel andadjacent body encircling panels made of elastic webbing and beingstretchable only in the parallel direction of the panels, a liningsecured to the inner surface of each of the panels and made of a softstretchable material, stitching joining the panels along their adjacentedges and being expandable in the direction of stretch of the panels andbeing substantially unexpandable in a direction transverse to thestretch of the panels, said stitching permitting the adjacent edges ofthe panels to move toward and overlap one another, and means secured tothe ends of the panels for joining the ends of the panels to form agarment of tubular shape to encircle the portion of the body on which itis to be worn.

2. A body support garment comprising a plurality of parallel panels madeof elastic webbing and being stretchable only lengthwise of the panels,an equal number of parallel panels of elastic webbing being stretchableonly lengthwise of the panels and secured end to end to thefirst-recited panels, a lining of soft stretchable material secured tothe inner surface of each panel, said end to end panels in the twogroups of panels being disposed at a slight angle to one another andwith the combined length of the end to end panels at one end of thegarment being greater than the combined length of the end to end panelsat the other end of the garment, rows of fagoting stitches securing theparallel panels together with the adjacent edges of the panels in spacedrelationship, and means secured to the free ends of the panels enablingthem to be detachably joined about the body of the wearer.

3. A body support garment as defined in claim 1 further characterized bythe adjacent edges of the panels being spaced apart a distance enablingsaid edges to overlap one another when the panels are moved toward oneanother.

4. A body support garment as defined in claim 1 further characterized bysaid lining being made of Helenca yarn.

5. A body support garment comprising, at least first and second stripsof material each having a length greater than its width andcharacterized by high elasticity along its length but nearly zeroelasticity along its width, each of said strips being adapted toencircle a portion of the body in a lengthwise direction; means securedto the ends of the strips for maintaining the two end portions of eachof said strips fastened together in a body encircling form and with thelength of each surrounding a common axis, and means secured to thestrips fastening adjacent lengthwise edges of said strips together andrestricting relative movement between said adjacent edges to anincrement along and an increment orthogonal to the lengths of saidstrips which increments are finite but much smaller than the width ofeither strip while allowing expansion of both said adjacent edges alongtheir lengths.

6. A body support garment in accordance with claim 5 and furthercomprising, means defining a surface attached to the inside surface ofeach of said strips facing said common axis for resisting slippage ofsaid strips on the skin of the wearer.

7. A body support garment comprising a plurality of parallel bodyencircling panels each stretchable in a body encircling direction andbeing nonstretchable in a direction parallel to the axis of the panels,a row of fagoting stitches made of nonstretchable thread joining theadja cent edges of the panels in spaced relationship and allowing saidedges to move toward and overlap one another when one panel is movedrelative to an adjacent panel, and means secured to the ends of thepanels for joining the ends of the panels together in a body encirclingform.

8. A body support garment as defined in claim 7 further characterized bythe last-named means being adjustable for varying the circumferentialsize of the garment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,108,588 Lamont Aug. 25, 1914 1,167,992 Guggenheim Jan. 11, 19161,482,123 Faust et al Jan. 29, 1924 2,265,662 Marshall Dec. 9, 19412,519,611 Thalman Aug. 22, 1950 2,596,275 Muller May 13, 1952 2,882,905Barg Apr. 21, 1959

1. A BODY SUPPORT GARMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL ANDADJACENT BODY ENCIRCLING PANELS MADE OF ELASTIC WEBBING AND BEINGSTRETCHABLE ONLY IN THE PARALLEL DIRECTION OF THE PANELS, A LININGSECURED TO THE INNER SURFACE OF EACH OF THE PANELS AND MADE OF A SOFTSTRETCHABLE MATERIAL, STITCHING JOINING THE PANELS ALONG THEIR ADJACENTEDGES AND BEING EXPANDABLE IN THE DIRECTION OF STRETCH OF THE PANELS ANDBEING SUBSTANTIALLY UNEXPANDABLE IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THESTRETCH OF THE PANELS, SAID STITCHING PERMITTING THE ADJACENT EDGES OFTHE PANELS TO MOVE TOWARD AND OVERLAP ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS SECURED TOTHE ENDS OF THE PANELS FOR JOINING THE ENDS OF THE PANELS TO FORM AGARMENT OF TUBULAR SHAPE TO ENCIRCLE THE PORTION OF THE BODY ON WHICH ITIS TO BE WORN.